Please note: We’re currently running very low on Reader’s Feature articles for this weekend and beyond, so if you’ve ever wanted to write one but never got around to it now would be a great time. They can be on any game-related subject you want, although do try and avoid topics that have been covered recently if you can.

Do it for charity
RE: Mr Verbosity discussing the production of game demos to experiment with esoteric ideas for larger games. Double Fine already have a process similar to this known as the Amnesia Fortnight. Double Fine staff are split into four groups and told to forget what they are currently working on (where the amnesia name is derived from) and produce a game prototype.

This process allows the developers to use many ideas they may not ordinarily get to use on a big budget game. The best prototype ideas are pitched to publishers to make a full game. This has led to the production of the excellent Stacking, as well as Costume Quest and Iron Brigade amongst others.

Currently the Amnesia Fortnight 2014 is being run with the Humble Bundle team where ideas can be voted on by the public to be brought down to four ideas to develop into prototypes. Look at the following link where you can contribute to gain access to the prototypes whilst also contributing to charity.Shafzilla

Digging it
Just like to thank GC for highlighting SteamWorld Dig. This game would have probably passed me by but for GC’s review, which encouraged me to get it and I’m glad I did because it’s an excellent little game. A bit slow at first, as the review said, but soon becoming very enjoyable as you gain new equipment and upgrades and explore deeper and deeper.

Being a Cross-Buy I downloaded it on PlayStation 4 and PS Vita, but I’m finding it perfect for the handheld so that’s the version I’m playing at the moment. It’s also currently discounted from £7.29 to £5.83 for PlayStation Plus members, a bargain! It’s well worth checking out.dyniner(PSN ID)

Last, best hope
I know Nintendo get a lot of stick on here regarding the Wii U (not so much the 3DS) about the lack of game releases. After looking at the release schedule for 2014, they only really have Mario Kart 8 on May 30th, and Smash Bros. later in the year, and that’s about it.

Do you think Mario Kart 8 will be console’s saviour? Nintendo need to desperately advertise this and to let people know that the game is for the Wii U and not the Wii. As I have said before, Smash Bros. isn’t a system seller, as it’s aimed at Nintendo fans who probably own the console anyway.Dark Anima X (gamertag/NN ID/PSN ID)

GC: It has the best chance of any of their games, but we fear the Wii U is past the point of no return. Especially as we have little faith Nintendo will put any real effort into mainstream marketing.

Ain’t no victory like a Dark Souls victory
R.I.P. The Pursuer. I took him down on my own (it was personal) with a very large sword and shield, and celebrated by sticking around to help some others kick his ass. Actually, assisting other players was more rewarding than my own victory. Especially when I get to do a little bow after the fight. There really is nothing else in gaming quite like a Dark Souls victory. Onwards and downwards.Tingle’s Therapist

The other kind of fencing
After reading ilikefatladys’ letter and him mentioning naming his console, I feel I should share my darling’s name. I was very disappointed about not being able to afford a PlayStation 4 when a very thoughtful (read: desperate) friend managed to persuade me to help him with his fencing business.

It’s not what I’m used to but thought I’d give it a bash as he offered me 500 squids for a few days work. He neglected to mention we would be putting up razor wire. Four days and about thirty lacerations later, I had the money and subsequently got my PlayStation 4. Her name is Barbara. Barbara Wire.StalisEpicTash (gamertag/PSN ID)

GC: For a moment there we imagined you being hired for your swordfighting prowess.

Not a problem
As I understand it from reading about the Oculus Rift, the kinds of environments, movement and gaming mechanics we’re all accustomed to in first person shooters just don’t work when transported into VR. I’ve seen interviews with developers that say the disconnect between seeing yourself moving on screen but knowing your body is stationary breaks the immersion and leads to motion sickness for most.

Call Of Duty, Battlefield, and the rest are specifically made to be fast-paced experiences to be played on your TV with a controller. But the movement is superhumanly fast and not realistic, running full pelt backwards, circle strafing, the gun constantly being at a fixed position in front of you, the on-screen prompts are all things that supposedly feel incredibly awkward in VR.

Maybe that’s something we’ll all just get used to but I get the feeling games designed with these limitations in mind will work better. I’m not saying first person shooters won’t work in VR and I’m sure all first person shooters will end up getting a VR mode slapped in. But I doubt they’ll work as well as games designed from the ground up for VR. If we can’t move the way we’re accustomed to in Call Of Duty without feeling sick or ruining the immersion then surely that has to have a knock on effect on the level design and game mechanics?

I can imagine 10 minutes sat in a sniper’s nest or put into the head of someone in a wheelchair working better in VR than 10 minutes hammering through confusing set piece after set piece supposedly running at 15 miles an hour when our bums are firmly glued to the settee. I’m looking forward to a big increase in on-the-rails shooters or tense first persons hooters that don’t involve a great deal of movement and are built around cat and mouse/stealth mechanics.Thewearehere (PSN ID)

GC: We’re not sure where any of that is coming from. The tech demo for Oculus Rift has you walking about in a first person environment using normal controls on a gamepad. You can fly around it too. We’ve played it and experienced no motion sickness at all. The effect really isn’t that different from using 3D glasses at a cinema, just with a wider field of vision (and lower resolution). There are also already versions of games with standard first person controls such as Team Fortress 2 on Oculus Rift and Thief on Project Morpheus.

Let the wookie win
I’ve not really paid much attention to the development of virtual reality; for the most part 3D gaming and cinema has seemed either irrelevant or gimmicky, with the notable exception of Gravity, and I didn’t think this would be any different.

Then a thought struck me: which game have I been most eagerly anticipating? Shenmue? No. The Last Guardian? Close, but no. It is in fact Star Wars chess as played by R2-D2 and Chewie on the Millennium Falcon. Will this now be a real possibility? Someone who has been paying attention please enlighten me, can I finally beat a droid without having to resort to pulling arms from sockets?mark steel

Sounds complicated
I recently made the leap into the new generation of gaming and bought a shiny new PlayStation 4. Taking it out of the box I noticed it only takes HDMI and my six-year-old HDTV doesn’t have the slot for it. After the horror had dissipated I googled an HDMI to DVI cable.

Problem solved, so I thought until I turned the console on and there was no audio. So my question is, do any readers or GC know what I can use for the audio?Jimwitted (PSN ID)

Obvious question
I read your Batman: Arkham Knight interview with keen interest. I assume you weren’t allowed to ask about Justice League characters or games? Regarding the Batmobile, I would love to see the old 1960s version made available.

I mean, yes it would probably require a different animation or mechanic to smash through walls but I find it inconceivable that Rocksteady would turn down an opportunity to include as many versions of this iconic vehicle as possible.Mousechime

GC: We didn’t waste time asking about the Justice League as it was obvious they wouldn’t say anything. They wouldn’t even answer our Killer Moth question! We also find it extremely unlikely that the classic Batmobiles won’t be introduced at some point, even if it’s just via downloadable content.

Real city
I feel it’s a bit harsh to criticise Batman: Arkham Knight for not having a bustling city with civilians and traffic. I know Batman does operate within a functioning city but he mostly sticks to alleys, rooftops, abandoned areas, etc. You wouldn’t get him just driving or strolling down a populated street.

If he was ignored by passers-by it would seem out of place. Similarly if he caused too much commotion during the day it would seem out of character.

Rockstar aren’t really trying for an open world game though. Their emphasis has always been a bit more Metroidvania.

A good compromise could be to give him the ability to change in and out of costume coupled with a day/night cycle. You could spend the day as Bruce doing detective work and the nights as Bats kicking ass. You could even have a police enforced curfew at night to reduce traffic to enable easier driving ,etc.

You have the choice to ‘suit up’ during the day but it will bring the law down on you Grand Theft Auto style.

I actually always wished more superhero games would let you change in and out of costume. Hulk: Ultimate Destruction was a brilliant game but even though it would have served no real purpose starting each section as little Bruce Banner then getting to ‘Hulk out’ would have been tremendously satisfying.@PjDonnelli

GC: You say it’s harsh and yet the ideas you suggest sound significantly more interesting than the actual set-up in the game. Although we think you’re conflating the desire for ordinary civilians going about their business with missions set during the day. The latter would be nice but it’s the lack of anyone in the city that isn’t a villain or policeman that seems the most disappointing.

GC: That is a bargain, it’s a great little game and the 3DS version is much better than the iOS release.

I used to have great fun giving my DS with WarioWare: Twisted! to individual pupils on the coach to away fixtures and asking them why the cartridge had a lump on it. They soon found out when they started playing and were really amazed by it.Goldenlay

Have you heard or seen anything about Titanfall on Xbox 360 yet? Is it still scheduled for April 11, what’s the betting they can it or delay it further to line Microsoft’s pockets.Ooohhhyeahhh (gamertag/PSN ID)

GC: We’ve still not seen so much as a screenshot.

Just a quick one to all those outraged about paying for the new Metal Gear Solid demo. I can’t have been the only person who bought Zone Of The Enders 13 years ago (blimey, time flies) pretty much just to play the glorious demo of Metal Gear Solid 2. Not a moment’s complaint from me either.chrispy108

This week’s Hot Topic
The subject for this weekend’s Inbox was inspired by reader iLike Fat Ladys (gamertag), who asks what video game are you best at?

How good are you at it compared to other people and if it’s a multiplayer game how confident are you that you’ll always come out near the top of the heap when playing? If it’s a single-player game what difficultly level do you play it at and is there anything specific you do to show off within the game? What game, or type of game, are you worst at and does it annoy you that you’re no good or is it more because of a lack of interest?

Do you generally regard yourself as a skilled gamer or are you merely average or below average? If you’re very good do you handicap yourself when playing friends and family – and do you tell them? If you’re not so good does it bother you, and does it limit the types of games you play?